At the risk of annoying Grumpy Git (who was anything but on the day) I am not called John. Unless there was another peg 20 between him on 19 and Matt on 21, that was occupied with an angler who caught a carp in a hailstorm, then I claim that role.
That saidI thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was great to meet up with everyone. The breakfast was indeed the lowlight of the day - a very tepid affair - enlivened only by the company.
I thoroughly enjoyed the demo by Stu, who was extremely open and honest about his way with the Method. Hewas extremely approachableand helpful.The freebies of hat, groundbait, feeder were grateful received and used where appropriate !Thank you Graham anda thank you to Woody for the braid.
I stuck itout all day on the Method, a techniqueI had never previously employed. I made a conscious effortto persevere with the regular cast and feed approach that Stu had stressed was essential.
I was made up to get a Bream of about 1.5 lbs in the first hour, with no mistaking the bite as the tip rattled and then bent double as the fish moved away. A few little knocks apparent in the ensuing hour or so but no bites that I could think of hitting.
After a bait change I was just setting the rod after seeing the bait to the bottom whenthe rod dragged round. A better fish immediately apparent, I anxiouslywaited to see the fish roll on the surface; a nice Tench of approx. 3.5 - 4 lb in a pale, almost golden colour, into the net and onto the mat, a quickphoto and fish returned.
No more bites for a while and then a cast slightly misplaced to my right - sorry Matt ! In a couple of minutes the tip jagged a couple of times then bent as I picked up the rod - fish on. A much heavier fish that made several runs against the clutch, with the line singing in the rings, then all went slack. Iretrieved the feeder to find the hooklength had brokenat the hook, with a twisty pig's tail as evidence. This wasa commercially tied hair system, so I could at leastI knew it was not my knot tying.
On went a new hooklength and a few casts later, at around 17:00 or so the rain started with accompanying hail,just as the rod went round again. A solid resistance and a good fish, although not thestrong runs ofthe "one that got away". It hammered down for several minutes and I do not think I really noticed at the time. Very, very pleased and very relieved to see the fish finally roll on the surface and netted first time.
As "GG" said it went just over 12 on his digital scales, the fish had a similar golden appearance to the tench; is this a feature of Clattercote stock ? Matt took a photo and the fish went back - all my kit and chair were soaked and I decided to tackle down. I had broken down, packed and even had my sack on my back when I went to shake hands with Matt. As he ventured out from the shelter of his brolly, his rod went round and he lifted into a fish, which I was delighted to net a few minutes later. Another golden carp at around 4 lb.
During the rain and hail there was an extraordinary rainbow, that we all could see actually ended in the reservoir on the far side, adjacent to the dam. I am delighted but not surprised that GG netteda fish after Matt and I had left, I can only imagine that one was Golden too.
A really enjoyable day - a pleasure to meet each of you, an experienceI hope to repeat in the future but any chance of a better breakfast ?
